Remarks by Premier of Kwazulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala on prayer held in memory of the victims of recent floods

Remarks by Premier of Kwazulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala during the prayer held in memory of the victims of recent floods held at the Exhibition Centre on 21 April 2022

Introduction
On a day such as this, as a government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal, we gather under this exhibition venue which normally brings nations together in the spirit of trade and exchange. Under the roof of this International Exhibition Centre, many have come together to do business and to hold local and international conferences which have changed fortunes and indeed the world. We stand in great humility as we address our province and indeed our nation at a time like this when we are in tears following the devastating floods that have fallen on our land. Ours is an unusual time. It is a time to ask for the greatest courage and faith in a nation whose soul has been injured.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this was not the first time that our province has experienced in recent years what are extreme weather conditions.

What has distinguished this from all events before is the sheer scale, magnitude and volume associated with these floods. For the first time, we were told by the South African Weather Services that KwaZulu-Natal experienced rain quantities in 48 hours that we would normally experience over 60days.     

We remember how our coastal areas experienced erosion when a storm swell during high tide and struck the KwaZulu-Natal coast on 19–20 March 2007. That storm produced swells of 8.5 m, causing significant coastal erosion and unprecedented damage to coastal property which at the time amounted to more than R1 billion.

September 1987 Floods
Between 28 and 30 September 1987, the central and southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal were ravaged by floods that were amongst the most devastating to have occurred in South Africa. The destruction of property was catastrophic, nearly 400 people were killed and about 50 000 were left homeless. Damage to agriculture, communications, infrastructure and property amounted to R400 million (De Villiers et al, 1994).

The bigger rivers (Mgeni and Mvoti) had flood duration periods of up to 24 hours and this caused dramatic erosion. In Mngeni the island near the mouth was totally removed and scour of generally about 2m took place.

In the Mvoti the river channel, normally 35m, widened to about 900m and deposited large quantities of sediment over this flood plain. Many bridges were washed away but the destruction of the Mdloti and Tugela river bridges caused the greatest disruption (Badenhorst et al. 1989).

Property damage resulted from unwise urban planning during the coastal building boom of the last two decades. Local exacerbating factors included construction too close to the high water mark, adverse coastal profile, and coastal modification. The town of Ballito, north of Durban, presented all these aspects and was the worst-hit area. The storm also destabilized the coast, consequently, chronic coastal erosion will continue until a new equilibrium is achieved (Smith et al, 2007).

Severity and harshness of the disaster impact
Ladies and Gentlemen, from 08 -13 April 2022, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal experienced prolonged heavy rainfall which resulted in flooding, mudslides, and structural breakdown in coastal areas of the Province. The average rainfall was estimated at 300mm over 24 hours.

All 10 Districts, including the EThekwini Metro, were affected. In this regard, the worst affected municipalities are EThekwini, UGu, King Cetshwayo, ILembe, and UMgungundlovu.

No less than 448 people have lost their lives. As of 18 April 2022, no less than 16672 households and no less than 116 708 people were affected and 72 people are still missing.

The continued inclement weather had an adverse impact and affected the pace of the response and recovery measures.

We deeply appreciate that the whole country is with the province of KwaZulu-Natal at this difficult time. We have been joined in rescue and relief efforts by teams from other provinces who are based at the Virginia Airport.

Provincial state of disaster and global warming
On the 13th of April 2022, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the provincial state of disaster. This declaration occurred after the President led a government team to witness the extent of the devastation and to pay respect to those who had lost their lives. At the time, 283 people were confirmed to have lost their lives.  Today the number has almost doubled.

We are addressing the impact of a weather phenomenon that is unprecedented in the history of our province and perhaps that of our country.  Both the timing and the severity of the flood disaster clearly suggest that we live in times of ecological imbalance linked to climate change and environmental degradation.  This is having far-reaching implications for us as a developing province and country. Not only are we experiencing more disasters, but we are also having them in rapid succession.

We have heard some claims that we do not have adequate warning systems in place or that we do not have preventative measures to alleviate the impact of such an incident as this. We can assure you that even if we had the best systems in place, this flooding reminded us that in the end we are merely human beings. It reminded us that as human beings we are mere mortals and that our man-made scientific tools are sometimes not enough to forewarn and protect us.

Sometimes we must accept that it is the power that we are dealing with a force that reached far beyond our span of control and reach. And we there is no doubt that such a calamity reminds us that God remains the one in charge and that sometimes we get shocked and shaken so that we can call His name.

Psalms 24 verses 1-2 reminds us that: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”
To the people of KwaZulu-Natal, this is the time that is testing our faith in our creator. It is not time to doubt his infinite wisdom or to curse him. We must be like Job in the Bible whose faith in God was unshakable, a man who brought glory to God by refusing to denounce or curse at God after losing all that he had, including his family, property, and wealth. Even as he got afflicted with diseases, Job remained faithful and did not sin making God to generously reward his unshakable faith in the end.

Addressing climate change
You will be aware that South Africa is committed to addressing climate change. We have said our undertaking is informed by evidence based on science, equity and sustainable development.
Climate change affects nearly every aspect of our lives and global warming is caused largely by human activities. Scenes of flooding, rainstorms and heat waves show us just how much climate change can affect our lives. All of these changing weather patterns will become more severe if we do not act to stop greenhouse gas emissions.

South Africa updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to a low low-emission and brought forward the year in which emissions are due to decline from 2035 to 2025. The revised NDC is consistent with the Paris Agreement's temperature limit of "well below 2 degrees" and 1.5-degree temperature limit.

Our country will continue to insist on a just transition to green technologies and clean energy sources. As we treat climate change as a global emergency, we must also ensure that no one is left behind as we create new jobs that put environmental protection at the heart of how we produce and consume as a nation.

There are certain things that we can also do as communities to reduce pollution and environmental degradation. This is a time to mobilise all South Africans to be an enemy of pollution and environmental harm. It is a time that we all work together to fight the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality which make the poorest of the poor more vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change.

We also make an impassioned appeal to the people of KwaZulu-Natal to avoid building their homes near river banks on areas unsafe for human settlements. In our State of the Province Address in February 2022, we had undertaken to eliminate a number of informal settlements, including a number of “olindela” or “transit camps” in KwaZulu-Natal. The rebuilding of KwaZulu-Natal after these storms and floods must make this a priority and the release of land in the hands of the state a priority.

Update on the disaster
Ladies and gentlemen, When President Ramaphosa addressed the nation and explained the decision that government has since declared a national state of disaster, we learned that no less than 40 723 people have been affected in both KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. As we said, in KZN 448 fatalities have been recorded and 63 people are reported missing.

As the province, we said R143 million from the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant and R539 143 from Urban Settlement Development Grant is immediately available to assist EThekwini.
The Community Schemes Ombud Service committed to contribute about R30 million subject to approval by National Treasury.

The National Home Builders Registration Council pledged to provide technical assessments to determine the extent of structural damage to homes. R100 million from the Residential Rent Relief Grant will be reallocated to the disaster relief endeavours.

The National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) will reallocate R150 million from the Residential Rent Relief Grant to the disaster relief endeavours. NHFC will also contribute an additional R 2 million from their corporate social investment (CSI) and avail their project management capacity for the rebuilding and reconstruction of houses in KZN.

  • No less than 630 schools were damaged, and they will need about R400-million to repair.
  • The total estimate to repair the destroyed homes will be R19-billion.
  • The current cost estimate for the recovery is estimated at R12-billion


What we have in place though the provincial disaster management centres is heightened activation and the placing on high alert of all disaster teams.
We have also called on the Minister of Transport to agree on a concession to waiver the payment of toll fees on the N2 especially at the toll gates because motorists do not have other alternative routes.
 
Responding to the biggest disaster in the history of KwaZulu-Natal
Compatriots, the level of devastation of human life, infrastructure and service delivery networks in the province is unprecedented since at least 1987.

It cannot be business as usual. This is a moment demanding all hands-on deck. In this regard, Members of the Executive Council are deployed in all the districts where they are champions. We have active the Operation Sukuma Sakhe and the District Development Model with the War room as the basis, the Local Task Team and the District Task Teams meeting to assess progress and information.

Our immediate task is to save lives and provide humanitarian assistance by first providing humanitarian assistance in the form of food, water, shelter, sanitation, clothes and blankets. Over 4 000 law enforcement officers have been deployed to support relief efforts and maintain law and order. In partnership with civil society organisations, we will ensure that emergency relief is distributed to all the affected communities.

We salute our frontline workers and emergency personnel who continue to respond to serious incidents.

  • The Department of Social Development has deployed 337 social service professionals across affected areas. Our trauma response task teams are assisting with psycho-social support in all affected district municipalities.
  • The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is providing relief in the form of food vouchers, school uniforms and blankets.
  • Where there has been loss of life we have increased the cash benefit from R700 to R1 960 and increased the value of food vouchers have from R700 to R1200.
  • Sassa has issued vouchers to the value of R434 520 and taken new applications for uniforms to the value of R372 280.
     

Health and safety
Compatriots, we make a special plea to the people of KwaZulu-Natal to take action to protect themselves and their families from water-borne diseases. The good hygiene habits that we adopted because of COVID-19 like washing hands regularly can help prevent a number of diseases. Cholera and typhoid fever.
 
Let us all be vigilant and discourage children to play or swim in floodwater. Please also clear any stagnant water around your home to prevent mosquito-breeding sites.
 
We caution people not to eat foods exposed to flood waters as well as punctured or rusted canned foods. People are advised to cook all foods well and dispose of food waste properly. Please make sure the water you drink is from a safe source and consult health care workers if you have any symptoms of infection to prevent serious illness or the spread of diseases. As we resolve the water challenge, we advise people to boil their water before drinking it.
 
On funerals
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We wish to indicate that out of 448 confirmed fatalities by South African Police Services, more than 200 deceased have been profiled. The Department of Health has 362 deceased in its list of the government mortuary. This discrepancy is being attended to by both departments. The Department of Social Development, SASSA and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs are finalizing profiling, provision of psychosocial services, and provision of food vouchers.

By yesterday, 20 April 2022, more than 100 bodies have been collected from the government mortuary and are ready to be buried.  We have learned that some families have already buried their loved ones.
We appreciate the help towards burial costs from the Motsepe Foundation and AVBOB. As part of the 30 million donation to the disaster, the Motsepe Foundation will cover all funerals. This amount will be paid through a funeral parlour that would have been identified by each family. AVBOB has put aside R3 million towards burial cost, a contribution of R20 000.00 per family. The services will be done by AVBOB.

Today, we speak and pray for the families that have lost 448 citizens of the province. Among those we speak of the Mdletshe Family of eNdwedwe who lost four children, we speak of the Jikela family and Makhoba family in Georgedale who lost five family members each, we speak of a family from Dassenhoek where two people died but nine are still missing. We speak and pray for the Mdlalose family in uMzinyathi where four people died and six are still missing. This is difficult to bear but we continue to soldier on, and we shall not despair. But we will stand firm because we know that we are a resilient society. With the support of the faith-based leaders, traditional leaders and business community we believe we will prevail against these challenges.

Update on the shelters for victims of disaster
KwaZulu-Natal currently has 52 shelters that are providing temporary shelter to the victims of the disaster.
These are in 4 districts as follows:  EThekwini Metro (35); Ilembe District (10);  Ugu District (6);  Umgungundlovu District (1).
Government and civil society are leading in the daily provision of various kinds of assistance at the shelters. The help includes daily meals, baby amenities, clothing, bblankets & mattresses, health services, and ablution facilities.

A plan for safer human settlements
Yesterday, the KZN Department of Human Settlements and Public Works reported that:

  • KZN currently has 14, 117 households that are affected;
  • About 4 396 households are homeless and accommodated in halls, relatives, and neighbours;
  • About 8 122 houses were partially destroyed;
  • An integrated approach involving three spheres of government is assisting to ensure speed and efficiency in the interventions;
  • Although government has reprioritized R1 billion towards disaster relief interventions, more than R1, 9 billion is required to complete the work.
  • Government will ensure that from the end of the week, more than 4 396 temporary accommodation – what we call TRUs are deployed in various communities;
  • Government will replace more than 3 937 houses;
  • Government will repair 8 039 houses that have been damaged;
  • More 2000 retaining walls will be fixed;
  • Government will also hand over building material supply to 8 122 beneficiaries (affected members of the community);
  • Government will repair 200 flats.
  • Through government agencies - the Housing Development Agency and National Housing Finance Corporation – government has engaged manufacturers of TRUs and suppliers of building materials who are based in Gauteng;
  • The reality is that there is no capacity in the province to meet the demand;
  • Government has asked them to consider setting up their warehouses here in KZN. Government has made progress in this regard;
  • Government is identifying land to build houses for families living along waterways and riverbanks. The Department of Human Settlements, Provincial Department of Public Works, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure – and eThekwini municipality are working together to make the land available;
  • Government has ensured the deployment of a national team of Project Managers & Engineers. Geotech services are also being provided in-house in order to save taxpayers money.

 
No to abuse of funds meant for the disaster relief and rebulding on KZN
Ladies and Gentlemen, stealing monies meant to help the neediest is a heinous and despicable crime. In this regard, all efforts are being made to restore key infrastructure under conditions of effectiveness and efficiency where no cent will be abused.

We want to ensure that all emergency procurement of supplies and services is fair, transparent, competitive and cost-effective. We are tightening our controls and mechanisms against improper conduct in the procurement of goods and services during this state of disaster.

The Minister in the Presidency through the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Auditor-General’s Office, the Office of the Public Protector, and the Human Rights Commission will be working together with the province to prevent the misappropriation of funds.

The Auditor-General’s office will work closely with departments to keep a close eye on the utilisation of the resources. We have also put on watching brief the National Prosecuting Authority, SA Revenue Service and the Hawks and Special Investigating Unit who stand ready to investigate and prosecute the crime of corruption.
Attempting to profit from a disaster that has claimed lives and left families devastated is unforgivable. In the spirit of our nation’s new consciousness and sense of accountability, let us ensure we put the people of KwaZulu-Natal first. We will not allow public funds meant to help families to vanish down a black hole of corruption.

We call on citizens and the Inter-Faith Community to exercise vigilance and blow the whistle on any acts of malfeasance or the abuse of public resources.

This is not a time for critics to stand aside and grandstand in their criticism. We are now dealing with a national disaster and all of us must pull together in one direction. All this we must do in honour of those who have passed away and the bereaved who want to honour the memory of their loved ones and who look to government to get out of this situation of desperation. The trail of devastation caused by the flooding calls for a collective response from all sectors of society.

Let us come together as a nation and offer assistance to those in desperate need of care and support. We know that the church and all faith-based organisations will not fail the people of KwaZulu-Natal
We pay tribute to it for always rising to the occasion and showing us that religiousness or spirituality is about selfless service to others. We recognise and appreciate all your efforts in comforting the heartbroken and wiping their tears. We salute you for feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing those whose dignity has been stripped naked by the disaster.

Conclusion
We also make an impassioned plea to the people of KwaZulu-Natal to resist any temptation to commit crime and loot businesses. Our province has seen enough pain and suffering, and we must not do anything that will again bring its reputation into disrepute and chase away those who seek to invest and bring development and jobs.
 
Once again, we call on all the people of KwaZulu-Natal to stand united and focus on rebuilding efforts.
 
We also pay tribute to the many voices across the world, in Africa, and our country who are lending a hand in rebuilding efforts.
 
It would be remiss of me to conclude without thanking the courageous South African media which has done extremely well in telling the story of the disaster to our nation and the world. They have done so at a huge risk to their own personal safety.
 
Let us keep all those who have lost their lives in this disaster and pray for the safety and wellbeing of all those involved in the rescue and rebuilding efforts.
 
As we conclude, we are reminded of the Book of Esther 4 v 14 where it says: “Perhaps you were born for a time as this.”
 
It is us gathered here in Prayer and in the rest of the province who must rise to the challenge of our time which is to heal our province again from this pain, to lift our province and its people back from this misery and to create new hope for a better KwaZulu-Natal.
 
This is exactly the time for which we were born, and we must seize this moment for the sake of the people of our province.
 
God Bless Africa and the people of KwaZulu-Natal!
 
Together Growing KwaZulu-Natal!
 
I thank you.

Province

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